I just received my copy of The Himber Wallet Book from Harry. Like all his other books, it is great. Clear explanations and very good effects.

I also got the final volume of Apocalypse a few weeks ago. Whoa! There is a lifetime of quality material in that 4 volume set.

Vlad: BTW, I looked at (and tried out) Spelligant. You were correct, it is a very good effect. Thanks for the tip and its location in Volume 4.

Regards,
Angelo

Angelo,

My pleasure!

Every time I open one of the volumes I find so many things I have missed.

Oh, also in volume four check out Master of Aces. SWEET routine

Best,
Vlad

I would second all the great material in the 4 Volume Apocalypse set.

Looking forward to Classic Collection 2

Craig

I not only have the Classic Collection, but I also own the originals, which I bought when they came out! Really. So, I say buy them all.
And I've purchased several books directly from Mr. Lorayne. So, you can have the best of the old and the new by purchasing both the old and the new. That's my 2 cents.

Abe

I also recommend you get the books from Harry. He deserves our support. (Not that he needs it!)

I also have all of Harry's books and just ordered the Classic Collection Vol. 1. By the way, if you want to order a book from him just email him at harrylorayne@earthlink.net

Don't send him a PM to order.

Larry

I've got Harry's Memory Book written with Jerry Lucas somewhere, but I'll be "danged" if I can find it...

Jim

You can't remember where you put your Memory Book? Haha!

Just thought I'd add that while they don't contain Harry Lorayne material, his books featuring David Regal and Ken Krenzel are definately worth a look.

MagicSteve:

To pile on, I recommend you check out my review of "Best of Friends, Vol III" elsewhere in the Café. (I should have linked to it before writing this, sorry.) Classic Collection is terrific, as has been said, but BOF III is really something else as well. I bought mine last spring, and I've gotten SO MUCH out of Vol III, not to mention the frequent pleasure of watching spectators' jaws involuntarily dropping. And not just cards, you also get some zinger coin tricks and other prop effects.

He includes a US Post prediction trick (diabolically simple) that will most certainly get you repeat business -- voila the whole book's paid for itself, and you've *still* got dozens and dozens of other golden magic tricks to master and perform.

When I read people moaning about his prices, I'm stuck between laughing at the person and crying for him.

God bless America...and Harry Lorayne.

Padraig,

I say - to paraphrase Marie Antoinette - "let them moan"! Quality costs money, and that is at it should be. When you buy cheap, you GET cheap. My mentor always taught me to be a discerning buyer, and when you make a considered decision, make sure it is of the highest quality. His words continue to resonate with me and always will.

I am FAR from wealthy, or rich, or even solvent. And as a professional musician as well as magician, the most cost effective way for me to save money is purchase only the best. My studio and live rig is state of the art music and recording equipment. Actually, I will be providing free - and royalty free music to magicians very soon as a way of saying thank you to the Art which has given me so much. Anyhow, I COULD go to a music shop and buy a cheap 1,000 synthesiser that will defintely end up costing me more later on, or, I can get bite the financial bullet and purchase a high end 4,000 dollar instrument knowing it will repay me a thousand fold. So, I choose the latter!

But a deeper question begs to be answered. How does one judge the price of quality? Great magic books are filled with effects, ideas, and advice that are truly priceless as you well know. In that respect, what great authors like Harry Lorayne and others offer the Art in fact are bargains! The Best of Friends trilogy cost me approximately 150 USD. What I have gained in return both in repeat gigs and sound magic FAR eclipses that miniscule price of admission for a lifetime of magic to which I can return time and again to mine the resources.

So, as I stated, let them moan! They are the ones hurting themselves, and if self abuse is their bliss, who am I to stop them?

Best,
Vlad

Amen, Vlad.

Harry & Folks,
Can you advise if your book Trend Setters is among or included in any of the new updated books; has it been added to say the reissued Best of My Friends?
Thanks,
BWind

I think the simple answer is NO. The Best of Friends volumes are already over 500 pages each - so there is not much room for adding anything else to them. I believe Harry has already posted somewhere that Trend Setters is not one of the books intended for the new Classic Collection volume 2

Denny has Trend Setters as of now

http://www.dennymagic.com/cgi-bin/hazel.......ARCH.y=7

I have it and it's one of Harry's best.

Hi: It'd never be, or have been, "added" to any of my BEST OF FRIENDS volumes. Those consist of all new items contributed by friends. You're thinking of THE CLASSIC COLLECTION volumes. No, TREND SETTERS won't be in volume 2 - that will consist of the re-write, additions, upgrading,etc., of Reputation-Makers, Rim Shots, Afterthoughts. I doubt it, but if I'm ever talked into doing a volume 3 (oy!) that'd probably be the re-write, etc., of Quantum Leaps, Trend Setters and probably The Magic Book. Do not, please, do not, hold your breath. Best - HARRY L.

Oooooo - an update of *the Magic Book* -- the soul thrills! This li'l volume has been long overlooked and may be the best introduction to magic, and the best RE-introduction for magicians who think they know it all. At the VERY least, it is in the Top Five introduction books. And, as I imply in my second sentence, even the most experienced magician will learn enough from it to more than justify the price.

Harry's writing reads just like he talks: fast, to the point, and no nonsense. You almost get the feeling that his hand will reach out of the book and slap your hands if you don't pay attention!

*jeep!
--Grandpa Chet (Who definitely pays attention!)